A. W. Chapman Post #21

St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan

Organized July 18, 1881

This Post was probably named to honor Augustus W. Chapman of St. Joseph, Michigan. He enlisted as a 1st. Lieutenant of Company B, 6th Michigan Infantry on June 19, 1861 at the age of 23. He was promoted to Captain, Company K on December 1, 1862. He was wounded on May 27, 1863 at Port Hudson, Louisiana. He was wounded again, while attached to General Richardsonís Staff, at Sabine Cross Roads, Louisiana and also take as a Prisoner of War on April 8, 1864. He died of these wounds on April 28, 1864 in Mansfield, Louisiana.

The Post was mustered with 21 Charter Members.

The first Post Commander was Jay J. Drake who enlisted as 2nd Lieutenant of Company G, 7th Missouri Infantry and was discharged as Captain of the company.

The Post met at City Hall on the corner of Broad and Main Streets. In 188 they met at Martinís Hall on Main Street and in 1893 at the Post Hall, street not indicated. In 1894 they were meeting at SOV Hall on State Street, noted in 1896 as G.A.R. Hall on State Street. In December 1915 they indicated meeting at Memorial Hall on Front Street.

In the December 1897 Report a lengthy note reports that a review of the records indicated that a count of the members in good standing provided a count of 24 more members than previously reported and they were added to the count. No names were provided to cover the discrepancy.

The last Post Commander was Charles E. Brighthaupt who served as a Private in Company K, 87th Ohio Infantry for four months. It is reported that he took a Transfer Card in December 1908, but there is no report of his return to the Post. He served as Post Surgeon in 1925, Junior Vice Commander in 1926, 1927 and 1928 and as Commander in 1929 and 1930.